VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter)

Sticky business

April 07, 2006|By Jean Tolle

Barrington — This is regarding "Wrigley wants claims to stick; Company seeks proof of benefits of gum" (Business, March 29). Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. has created a group to study the storied benefits of chewing gum. Before Wrigley's team of scientists offers up the proof that gum chewing can indeed keep weight down, reduce stress and improve focus, they would be wise to go back in time to 1947, to Rivera (Calif.) Elementary School and Mrs. Kennedy's 7th and 8th grade class.

Mrs. Kennedy believed that ladies and gentlemen did not chew gum. Her penalty for doing so in her class was severe. A transgressor would be ordered to the front of the class where she or he would be forced to stand for 10 minutes with the evidence of the crime stuck to his or her nose.

I can testify to loss of dignity, not weight or stress. As for focus? Well, maybe . . . at least so far as the end of one's nose.